Improve your concentration, the healthier way

Jan 08, 2016 by Aman

Life can really get on top of us, and when there are so many things to worry about and plan for it's easy to lose focus when you're at work.

If you're health-conscious, you probably don't want to hit the coffee too many times during the day, particularly as it can disrupt your sleep cycles, so finding alternatives to improve your concentration can be really important.

Boost yourself the nutty way

Almonds are great for your memory and concentration, thanks to the vitamin E. The most convenient way to get them into you is to grab a handful of the tasty nuts and nibble as you work, but you can also boost yourself with warm almond milk. As with most things, there's an easy way and a more labour-intensive way to do this. The easy way is to buy a readymade almond milk pack from the supermarket. However, you can't be sure how much goodness you're really getting from the commercial stuff, so the other way is to make it yourself!

Take seven or eight almonds and soak them overnight in milk or water. Peel them the following day – the skins will drop off – and grind them into a wet paste in a mortar. Mix the paste with a glass of milk and warm the lot in a pan for a tasty drink. If you do this on a daily basis over a few weeks, your concentration will noticeably improve.

Concentrate on the citrus flavour

The flavonoids in citrus fruits are where the brain goodness lies, so even the smell of citrus will sharpen your focus a little. Think of it like an emergency application. You can buy yourself an essential oil to provide the boost if you like, or even just break the skin of a lemon or orange and breathe in the beauty.

Science tells us that citrus flavonoids actually cross the blood-brain barrier and reduce the chance of neurodegeneration, so if you have dementia somewhere in your family, eating these fruits may help protect you from this terrible disease.

The high levels of magnesium found in citrus also helps with concentration, so even eating an orange or juicing a grapefruit with some ginger and honey can be a great way to sharpen the senses.

Gingko for brain improvement

A number of scientific studies over the years have shown that Gingko biloba really does work, and it has even been used in the battle against dementia. Consuming it improves the blood flow to the brain and means that the cells will be better looked after. It's possible to drink it in the form of a tea, or add it to water as a tincture from a wholefood shop. Supplements aren't always as good as they look, so it's best not to take it in the form of tablets or capsules unless it's a really good brand.

It's always best to get your vitamins and goodness directly from the vegetable or fruit if possible, but if that isn't easy where you live, or if it isn't compatible with your lifestyle, then supplements, tinctures, and essential oils can help a lot.

The two types of healthy fish

Many people cite fish as being a far healthier option to meat and cheese as a protein in our diets, and yet we know that many fish are contaminated by the pollution that humans caused in the first 100-plus years since the Industrial Revolution.

Juice that fruit!

If you've got the will to consume the veggies you think you should have, that's great, but if they're already getting you down – and let's face it, you can have too much of a good thing sometimes – why not invest in a juicer?

2,476,435 new vehicles were registered in the UK during 2014, the largest number since 2004. Of these just 51,733 were completely electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. the types of car most widely considered as being 'green'.

Many people cite fish as being a far healthier option to meat and cheese as a protein in our diets, and yet we know that many fish are contaminated by the pollution that humans caused in the first 100-plus years since the Industrial Revolution.

If you've got the will to consume the veggies you think you should have, that's great, but if they're already getting you down – and let's face it, you can have too much of a good thing sometimes – why not invest in a juicer?

Useful Links

Legal

Follow Us

Smart Insurance® is a trading name of Neilson Financial Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and entered on the Financial Services register www.fsa.gov.uk/register/ under reference 594926. Neilson Financial Services Limited. Registered in England and Wales. Number 07986483. Registered Office: Landmark Place, Windsor Road, Slough, Berkshire SL1 1JL. All products are arranged by Smart Insurance and issued, underwritten and administered by Scottish Friendly Assurance Society Limited which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under reference 110002, with permission to effect and carry out contracts of insurance.